en.Wedoany.com Reported - RWE has begun construction of a large utility-scale solar power plant in the Rhein-Erft district.

The "Mannheim Bay" solar park is being built within the Hambach opencast mine in the municipality of Kerpen, in the town of Kolping City. The park, with a total of 25,300 solar modules installed over an area roughly the size of 20 football fields, has already had some substructures and modules installed. Upon completion at the end of this year, the solar power plant will have a capacity of 16.5 megawatts peak (14.8 MW AC), generating enough electricity annually for approximately 5,000 households.

"Mannheim Bay" will form the southern end of the future Hambach opencast mine lake, which will take decades for the water to reach this area. RWE is using this time to expand renewable energy in suitable, approved areas. The solar power plant will be complemented by a co-located battery storage facility, with construction planned to begin this summer. The storage facility, designed with a capacity of 80 megawatt-hours, is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2026 to support grid stability.

Sopna Sury, CEO of RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, stated that with this project, the company continues to drive the energy transition and systematically expand its solar portfolio, already operating nine large-scale solar parks in the Rhineland region. By adding a battery energy storage system, the generated electricity can be supplied when needed. Involving local residents and communities is particularly important, which is why RWE is working closely with NEULAND HAMBACH GmbH on renewable energy projects at the Hambach opencast mine.

Lars Kulik, RWE Power board member responsible for the lignite division, said that the opencast mine is transforming into a lake. To ensure the region remains an energy hub, they are simultaneously using the future lake area to expand renewable energy, creating opportunities for the team and the region.

Municipalities around the Hambach opencast mine are investing in the energy transition in cooperation with RWE. A battery storage facility and three solar power plants with a total capacity of 61 megawatts peak are already in operation at the Hambach opencast mine. RWE operates these facilities in partnership with NEULAND HAMBACH GmbH, which represents the nearby municipalities of Elsdorf, Jülich, Kerpen, Merzenich, Niederzier, and Titz in the Erft district. As part of this cooperation, these municipalities also have the option to participate in the Mannheim Bay project.